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Gold Market Update Monday March 23, 2015 11:52 The immediate outlook for gold has improved dramatically following the dollar’s topping action of recent days after the Fed was rumbled, and the vast improvement in the COT structure of the past 2 weeks. While the negative outlook set out in the last update could yet come to pass in the event of a deflationary implosion – and remains a risk until gold breaks out of the downtrend shown here on our 8-year chart – latest COTs certainly suggest that the risk has been averted for now. In anticipation of the dollar reversing after the Fed meeting, we liquidated our PM sector short positions for a profit on the site and reversed to long, and the way things are shaping up we won’t need to close our long positions for a while. On our 8-year chart for gold we can see that to erase the bearish scenario shown associated with a deflationary implosion, gold has simply to break up upside from the long-term downtrend shown, which wouldn’t take all that much of a rally from here. Latest COTs suggest that is about to attempt to do this. If the dollar index, shown at the top of this chart, is indeed burning out here, then gold is likely to get a powerful boost going forward as the dollar retreats. On the short-term 6-month gold chart we can see recent action in more detail. On this chart we can see how gold started to rally immediately after the Fed and it has already succeeded in breaking out from the shorter-term downtrend in force from mid-January. Although the breakout from this downtrend is still only marginal, which normally would lead us to expect some backing and filling, the now highly favorable COT suggests that it will soon get on with it and continue higher. Now we come to the all-important COT. A reader once wrote in and asked “How can you trust the COTs when they could be rigged?” My response to this was simply to say that I would continue to trust them until they don’t work any more, and in any case they don’t need to rig data like this, because the fact is that most market participants are too dumb to use it. Anyway, the latest COT shows a dramatic scaling back of both Commercial short and Large Spec long positions over the past of couple of weeks, which indicates that the Large Specs have “thrown in the towel” in disgust, as they have a habit of doing at market bottoms, while the Commercials are clearly getting out the way ahead of a rally. The last time the COT was this positive was at gold’s November low. Click on chart to popup a larger, clearer version. The Gold Hedgers chart, which is a form of COT chart, also shows a dramatic improvement to readings which usually precede a rally. Click on chart to popup a larger, clearer version. Chart courtesy of www.sentimentrader.com > http://www.kitco.com/ind/Maund/2015-03-23-Gold-Market-Update.html

IYR might be a good Put-buying Target, and a proxy for TLT ... update / Last: $82.04 ===== : Jan.2016- mid pt : -Jan.2017 -- mid pt : %/$82 85 put : 7.45-8.20: $7.82 : 11.15-12.25: 11.70 : 82atm : ----------- > $6.15 : $9.35-10.40: $9.87 : 12.0% 80 put : 4.80-5.25: $5.03 : $8.30-$9.30: $8.80 :

Cross-currents : US Bonds are peaking... Or ARE they? TLT / etf for T-Bonds ... update (1) End of US bond rally looms, as Fed gets ready for Rate Rally, says David Brown, in SCMP's MACROSCOPE column. "The 34 year rally in US bonds is coming to the end of the line"... "The end of the party is near" "Pretty soon, the Fed will have to commit to higher rates" The evidence?: It dropped the word: "patient" from its rate guidance. Inflation has been skewed by low oil prices. (2) Bonds bind the Fed - but New Low in yields is expected later this year Elliotwaver Nicole Elliott thinks interest rates may have peaked for the year (T-Bonds at just under 2.9% in early March) They are now at just over 2.5%... and she sees the March high as ending an A-B-C up She thinks they will go thru the low on 2.443%, and later this year, take out the record low of 2.221% (= TLT high of XX ?) (3) Neal Kimmerley in today's SCMP sees: "A Million reasons why the Dollar is still a good bet", and mainly: "Even if the Fed sits on its hands, it is still tighter than the Euro or Japan" Some CB's what the Fed to stand still, so they can cut rates... such as Australia === NOTE: Nicole Elliott has a good track record with her E-Wave charts

Sinopec / China Petro & Chem. (HK:0386) ... update CNOOC / HK-883 ... update Sinopec warns of a tough year ahead Nation's second largest oil and gas producer saw its net profit fall 30pc to 46.5 bn yuan last years on lower prices, its worst result since 2008 + In 2015. results are being influenced by China's slower growth and low oil prices, and so the operating environment is still severe + A "near breakeven" result is expected in Q1 + Q4-2014 brought a loss of 5.33 billion yuan, compared with profit of 13.83 bn a year earlier

Comment of the Week? The Mines & Money conference is taking place this week in HK. Doug Casey* will be one of the featured speakers. By accident, I overheard a few sentences of a private conversation he was having today. This sentence may turn out to be the Comment of the Week: "The stocks may get kicked one more time. But you cannot sell them here" (implying they are too cheap to sell now - Upside is much greater than Downside.) I reckon, He must have been talking about mining or gold stocks. And if everyone is thinking the same as Mr Casey, and we do see another drop in Gold prices, the Gold shares may not fall much. Doug Casey is a well-known thinker and writer. Two of his classic works were Crisis Investing and Right on the Money : http://www.amazon.com/Right-Money-Casey-Economics-Investing/dp/1118856228/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427115535&sr=1-1&keywords=doug+casey

Downtown competition : Philadelphia vs. Boston Philly is not so Poor as some think here's a fan of Philly: Originally Posted by Summersm343 Hahahaha, I'll just sit back and watch you tear your rep to shreds with these ridiculous comments. It must be that Philadelphia has beaten you in every possible match up you can think of, so you must result to calling us poor and crime ridden. Look at your own city before you start claiming these things about Philadelphia. Your city is worse. If D.C. can't straighten it's act with the entire Government body living within it's borders, then there is no hope for that city. Yes, I am sure the people living in Rittenhouse Square, Society Hill, Old City, Fitler Square, Logan Square, Washington Square West, Graduate Hospital, Bella Vista, Queen Village, Northern Liberties, Farimount, Clark Park, Cedar Park, Spruce Hill, Chestnut Hill, Roxborough, West Mt. Airy are all poor. Yep, there is no affluent, wealthy, rich or upper middle class neighborhoods in the city, but I just named 17 neighborhoods. That's not even naming the middle class neighborhoods. Which would consist of the rest of Center City, the rest of South Philadelphia (except point breeze). The rest of University City, some of West Philadelphia like Powelton Village, Woodland Terrace, Wynnefield, Wynnfield Heights, Overbrook Park, Overbrook Farms, some neighborhoods in the Southwest, most of the Lower North that I haven't named (Fairmount and Northern Liberties) would be Franklintown, Callowhill, Poplar, Spring Garden, Spring Arts, the North Broad Corridor (up and coming), West Poplar(up and coming), Yorktown, Templetown (up and coming). The rest of the neighborhoods in the Northwest (Germantown, Morton, West Oak Lane, Cedarbrook, Mt. Airy, Andorra, East Falls, Manayunk, Wissahickon, East Mt. Airy. Some neighborhoods in like East Oak Lane/West Oak lane. The entire Northeast is middle class. Oh and the Riverwards, like Kensington, Olde Kensington, Fishtown, Bridesburg. West Kensington is just bad news You're right though... all of those neighborhoods are poor and run down. Here is a list of all of the Philadelphia neighborhoods corresponding to their district of the city... educated yourself. List of Philadelphia neighborhoods - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Here is a map of the 12 districts that make up the city oh Philadelphia. The worst sections of the city are in the Upper North (Strawberry Mansion, West Kensington, Hunting Park) and the lower west portions of West Philadelphia and the Upper West Portions of Southwest Philadelphia. Oh, and Point Breeze in South Philadelphia is pretty lame. It is being gentrified though, and the neighborhood next to it Newbold is quite nice and is the new "gayborhood" Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/city-vs-city/1134479-downtown-battle-philadelphia-vs-boston-vs-35.html#ixzz3VDPkZC21

Why Main Line high-end home sales are way down Mar 16, 2015 The Main Line luxury home market — those residences priced at $1.5 million and up — is down. Prices are off by 10 percent to 15 percent, according to Berkshire Hathaway HomesServices Fox & Roach, and sales have declined by nearly 50 percent from their peak in 2006 when 81 homes priced in that echelon in Lower Merion traded. Last year, just 43 residential properties priced at $1.5 million or more sold in that part of the Main Line, which is the heart of the community and includes such areas as Gladwyne, Bryn Mawr and Villanova. . . . Buyers for properties in this price range are limited but demand is also on the decline. Smaller and more efficient housing has become sought after and is likely having an effect on some sales. "Some people don't want these big homes," Gordon said. Though economic indicators point to a strengthening economy and low interests usually lure people into the housing market, there are other forces at work including demographic shifts to renting and urban living. "The re-urbanization of Philadelphia is a direct competitor to Lower Merion and the Main Line," Krauss said. Krauss points to sales trends showing that a segment of those high-end sales have gone to Center City. In 2005 in Philadelphia County there were 32 residential transactions at $1.5 million and up. Last year, there were 65, according to Long & Foster research. Empty Nesters from the Main Line have been a driving force behind those moving and buying in the city. Job growth hasn't been all that strong in the region and few new companies have moved in, which is also playing a part. Communities that cater to those 55 and older are also believed to be taking a portion of those high-end Main Line sales. "That is a major competitor," Krauss said. Many 55-plus properties are priced a $1 million and less and are located throughout the region including the Main Line. Another issue in play could also be that the Main Line tends to have older housing stock, these experts said. Some properties have become so dated they are obsolete and that has pushed prices down, especially if someone looks at a house and figures they needs to spend a certain amount to bring it up to contemporary standards. Gordon and Krauss agree that houses in the $600,000 to $1.1 million range seem to be a sweet spot in the market with bidding wars breaking out on them and sales happening within days of a property being listed. And, even though luxury sales are off and likely will continue to slide as these trends continue, the Main Line will always have appeal. > more: http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/blog/real-estate/2015/03/why-main-line-high-end-home-sales-are-way-down.html?page=2

The Future Of 52nd Street, Seen From The Inside March 20, 2014 | by Stephen Ives | Vantage | 52nd Street, commercial corridors, economic development, gentrification, West Philadelphia Past patriotic reminders of West Philly’s Main Street, from before SEPTA’s reconstruction of the el at 52nd Street station In the heart of every city neighborhood and small town in America is a Main Street. Everyone’s back yard, picnic table, after-school hangout, Saturday mainstay. In West Philadelphia, just look down at the sidewalk medallions for confirmation: “52nd Street, West Philly’s Main Street.” For decades the mile-long strip of 52nd from just north of the Market-Frankford Line south to Baltimore Avenue has been the heart of business, culture, and soul in West Philadelphia. And though its status as such has changed little since the advent of The El, its complexion has. The forces that worked to changed the social landscape of the strip decades ago are once again knocking on the door with possibilities that current tenants and residents aren’t necessarily welcoming with open arms. The “Penntrification” effect that has taken hold of much of West Philadelphia seems poised to do what once may have been unthinkable—cross the hard and fast psychological boundary of 52nd Street, a place that for me was always where ‘home’ began. The nexus of West Philly’s Main Street: under the el at 52nd & Market | Photo: Stephen Ives Having lived in various parts of West Philadelphia for almost my entire life, I’ve watched slow but steady waves of change wash over places that for years seemed to be unchangeable. I grew up accustomed to the grit, the lack of polish, and the general types of sights that people who understand city living on only the most cursory level would expect to see. In my childhood, the red awnings and street side tables of 52nd Street weren’t a threatening hodgepodge of grifters and shady merchants. They were just part of the landscape in the same place where we made weekend stops to buy shoes and fish. That place, though, doesn’t exist anymore. The Stacy Adams store with its impossible-to-miss sign is gone. Punchey’s, with its ever-present scent of shortening and trays of breaded seafood that were staples of my youth, exists only as an empty storefront and weathered sign. Indeed much of the strip now stands as painted over memories. Young natives of West Philadelphia know a 52nd Street that has little difference from other commercial corridors in poorer parts of the city. There’s nothing particularly distinctive about the street beyond the volume of activity and the architectural quality of some of its buildings. There aren’t a tremendous amount of long time businesses still there, something generally indicative of the overall health of a commercial area. Having recently moved from another part of the city back to West Philly, just off of 52nd Street, I started getting reacquainted with it, and that was the first thing that that I noticed. A decade ago I lamented the loss of Big George’s Restaurant on Spruce Street, one of the few decent places in the city to get a plate of grits. What exists now—take-out delis, hair salons, convenience stores—is what fills the void left by mom and pop businesses who provided daily essentials (and non-essentials). In some cases, the replacements are arguably as bad as nothing at all. Bushfire, built as Locust Theatre in 1914 | Photo: Stephen Ives One of the first places I noticed along 52nd Street in my first few days there was the Urban Art Gallery at Delancey Street, owned and operated by Kalphonse Morris. Plainly visible from the storefront window, the paintings inside drew my attention. Certainly a different kind of visual offering from the neighborhood standard and that was precisely what Morris had in mind when he opened the space last April—wanting to bring “beauty, culture, and a new style” to place that sorely needed it. We were both of a mind on the general state of the strip. The character that once existed had long since been paved over. With the exception of The Bushfire Theatre and Malcolm X Park, no true landmarks remain and in his opinion the landscape there now is “worth losing” if the changes at the doorstep bring entities that thrive and add vitality to the neighborhood. But this potential for change obviously stirs up conflicting feelings for long time neighbors. While revived storefronts, a new assortment of businesses, and a larger base of shoppers and residents add to a place that is stagnant compared to its glory days, what then becomes of what currently is? If it’s true that so much of what made 52nd Street a distinctive place is now gone then would anything truly be washed away by the incoming tide? Of course any real discussion about neighborhood growth Philadelphia is always going to have elements of race and class—the G-word—and keenly so here. The ever expanding sphere of influence that the University of Pennsylvania has in West Philadelphia has been making westward progress for as far back as I’ve been paying attention. Six-figure housing prices and overnight building renovations on blocks that haven’t seen a sheet a drywall in years tell the tale. The residents of my own building, a racial mix that certainly would not have set foot here a decade ago, are leading indicators. The old meets the new on Rue 52 | Photo: Stephen Ives It’s a story that plays out in several different parts of Philadelphia, from Point Breeze to Kensington to Germantown. There’s always a level of discomfort felt by the people who already live and work in a place that someone from outside of their world has declared ‘the next horizon,’ and though no advertisements proclaim 52nd Street the next bountiful frontier, the sense that someday it will be hangs slight and still, but unmistakably, in the air. Some say bring it on ... > continues : http://hiddencityphila.org/2014/03/the-future-of-52nd-street-from-the-inside/ > Larger Map : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_SEPTA_Regional_Rail_stations#/media/File:SEPTA_Regional_Rail_Diagram.svg Paoli /Thorndale Line - on SEPTA 27 stops (28 w/closed 52nd st): ++ includes (Villanova, Bryn Mawr, Haverford) : Merion : Overbrook : 52nd Street (closed 1980) TO: 30th Street Station (and on to ...) + then, extends to Suburban Station / TO: Jefferson Station (and on to AMTRAC) === Wiki: 52nd Street is a closed train station that was located at the intersection of North 52nd Street & Landsdowne Avenue[1] (just north of Lancaster Avenue [uS-30]) in the West Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) at the junction of its Main Line and its Schuylkill Branch. Today, these lines are the SEPTA Regional Rail Paoli/Thorndale Line and Cynwyd Line, respectively. At 52nd Street, the Main Line is on an embankment at-grade, while the Schuylkill Branch is on an elevated structure including a Parker through truss spanning 388 feet (118 m) over the Main Line on an extreme skew.[2] A lit sign informed inbound passengers which platform the next train to Center City, Philadelphia would depart from. Only a few trains in each direction stopped at this station, mostly serving reverse commuters heading out to jobs in the Main Line suburbs in the morning and returning home to the city in the evening. Through merger and bankruptcy, the station and the trains serving it passed from the PRR to the Penn Central to Conrail, which abandoned all service to the station in 1980. > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Street_%28Pennsylvania_Railroad_station%29

Four Addresses; ==== 2102 N Wanamaker St * Ph-PA 19131 : $127.5k: Z-$120.8K /+5.5% 12% @1,650/$0,000 : 2-BR, 2b, 1456 sf (87.6 / Z83.0 psf), b.1935 Lot: 1,293 sqft - M ???? : May 2006 $112.0k 12.0p : tax: $1,617 6614 Lebanon Ave. Ph-PA. 19151 : $112.5k : Z-$88.35k / +27% 3-Br, 1.5b, 1062 sf (147.3 /Z83.2 psf), b.1925 Lot: 2,412 sqft - Masonry: 9/30/13 : $24.9k (pv. 13.6, 38.0) 11.0p 1520 N. Conestoga St. Ph-PA 19131 $67.0k: Z-$82.6k / -19% 11.8% @850 /$907 : 3BR, 1,078sf (62.2 /Z76.6 psf), b.1916 Lot: 1,306 sqft - ??? : May 2007 : $28.0k 3116 N. 15th St. Ph-PA. 19132 : $221k : Z-$146.53k / +51% 5-units: 1br, 1br, 2br?, 2790 sf (79.2 psf /52.5 psf), b. Lot: 3,808 sqft - Masonry: 6/8/05 : $110k (pv. 7.0, ?) 13.7p Z: Very high rate of return investment. Entire building was completely rebuilt within 10 years. Completely rented and always a demand for rentals. Tenants pay for gas and electricity. There are 5 separate gas heaters and water heaters. All tenants are on a month to month lease. Tremendous upside with possibility of student housing with 2 students per bedroom with rents reaching up to 600/month per student. Great opportunity for student housing with a police station being built across the street.… === === *Nearby : 2112 N Wanamaker St An income producing investment close to City Ave and S. Joseph's University. These is a Duplex of one bedroom each unit. Each unit has a living room and plenty of space in the kitchen for a dinning room table. One unit is occupied. Features a front yard with a garden area. Also a garage currently used as a storage. It needs some cosmetics but at that price you will not be disappointed. All separate utilities. > http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2112-N-Wanamaker-St-Philadelphia-PA-19131/2117608344_zpid/ > also : 1718 N 55th St,

Philly Heats Up Limited supply coupled with an ever-growing renter population has rates rising and vacancies dwindling, especially in Center City.By Jim Cadranell Investors are starting to swoon again in the City of Brotherly Love. Multifamily properties are trading at healthy numbers, and fundamentals are steadily improving as the Philadelphia apartment sector ascends out of the recession. Vacancy rates, now at 5.5 percent, are down from a recession high of 6.9 percent at year-end 2009. And rent growth has slowly but surely gained momentum since 2009, hitting 3.2 percent this year and forecasted to average 3.25 percent through 2015, according to Boston-based market research firm PPR. == > http://www.multifamilyexecutive.com/business-finance/transactions/philly-heats-up_o

Apartment Cap Rates Reached Historic Lows in H2'14 Aug. 06, 2014 Multifamily Executive reports: Cap rates in the U.S. apartment sector reached historic lows in H1’14 as competition fueled the major markets, specifically in New York, Boston, Washington, Los Angeles, Northern California, and Seattle. “There is so much capital pouring into those big six markets that even if many investors are concerned about valuations, there are plenty of investors still competing fiercely for those properties that the investors with concerns have passed on,” says Ben Thypin, Director of Market Analysis at Real Capital Analytics (RCA), a global data and analytics firm focused exclusively on commercial real estate. Cap rates fell to 4.4% in H2’14, a percentage that equaled the historic low established in H2’06, RCA reported in US Capital Trends – Apartment 2014 Mid-Year Review. Yields for mid/high-rise properties reached 3.9%, surpassing 2013 lows. Overall, cap rates for garden and mid/high-rise properties were below 6.5% and 5%, respectively. The report showed sales in secondary and tertiary markets posted the strongest growth; meanwhile, average and top quartile yields for garden properties in Non-Major Metros also grew. Included in the mid-year review were H1’14 market rankings, which showed the strongest climbs from Philadelphia, Portland, and Baltimore. View the full article on Multifamily Executive: Apartment Cap Rates Reached Historic Lows in H2'14 Articles related to this topic: Multifamily Financing Not Readily Available in Manhattan

STRONGER PESO brings pain for Philippines Huge cash inflows from outsourcing deals and citizens working abroad have led to a sharp rise in the currency, upsetting the nation's exporters + Nearly $40 bn a year pours into the Philippines from Overseas Foreign Workers; and this has strengthened the Peso + Filipinos fear the "Dutch disease" where a strong currency may undermine export businesses + Phil. manufacturing grew 8.1% last year, but may get hit with the strengthening of the Peso against most global currencies in 2015 + Barclay's bank reckons that the PHP is the most overvalued of the widely traded currencies + Phil. economy grew 6.9 percent in Q4-2014, the fastest since late 2010... but investors and visitors complain about the crumbling infrastructure. Manufacturers want the govt to fix the infrastructure problems that make their costs so high > SCMP, B4

The QUICKENING of the Cycle ? An 18 year Cycle shortened to about 16 years in Singapore and HK (1981-1997)

Another HK Property Stock threatening to breakdown. This one reflects mostly Retail and Commercial/Office values HK-14 / Hysan Development ... update : 24-mos

Add the MTR Corp. (HK-66) to the Mix Hang Lung (HK-10), versus Wheelock (HK-20) and HK-66 ... update Hang Lung (HK-10) alone ... update : MTR/ HK-66 alone Kowloon property drives MTR Success, HK Standard, pg.9 (Note: MktCap is HK$204.5 bn) MTR Corp's profits rose 20% to HK$15.6 bn, thnx to : + Non-reoccuring property sales at The Austin and Grand Austin + Profits from reoccuring biz rose 7.9% to HK$8.02 bn + Expects to launch at mots, four plots in 2015: : 2-3 at LOHAS Park (5,000 units), and one at Yuen Long

We might need to see some big bankruptcies in the Shale Oil sector, before the Saudis decide to take the downwards pressure off the Oil price

How's this working? The Pairs trade is ahead by (10.70-3.18) = 7.52% in just over two weeks Update: ====== Symbol / Company--- : $-2/27 : $-3/16*: change : percent / end2008: Chg>Now HK20- / Wheelock&Co : $41.60 : $37.15 : -$4.45 : -10.70% / $ 17.00 : +118.5% HK10- / HangLungGrp : $36.20 : $35.05 : -$1.15 : - 3.18% / $ 23.45 : + 49.5% HK101 / HangLungPrp : $22.00 : $21.60 : -$0.40 : - 1.82% / $ 16.84 : + 28.3% Ratio-- / HK20toHK10 : R1.149 : R1.060 : ===== : ======= / R0.7249 : +46.2% HK04- / Wharf Hldings : $56.55 : $51.15 : -$5.40 : - 9.55% / ===== A related co., Wharf Holdings (HK-4) announced earnings today: Down -7% to HK$10.5 billion, and on the lower end of expectations. "Mainland property woes" ate into its earnings. Some disruptions related to Occupy, cut into the revenues of three hotels Volume of space was more than expected, but prices were lower. Wharf has a cluster of luxury projects on the Peak that will be completed this year. Also, there are 11 self-owned hotels in the pipeline, including six new ones on the mainland

Philippines set for factory boom as costs rise in China - SCMP, Mar. 16, 2015, B5 Already six major co's from Japan, Taiwan have picked factor sites nr. Manila + Had been overlooked, is now benefiting from rising costs elsewhere + Phil. advantages are: English languages, tariff elimination to Europe + Co's see Phil. as a "backup" to China + Products for Southeast Asia will also be manufactured in Phil.: : electronics, bicycles, processed foods + China has had a 13 percent rise in labor costs, Phil. is cutting corruption + Factories are in industrial parks in three provinces, w/in 2-hr drive of Manila + Phil. is expanding seaports, adding expressways, to ease traffic congestion

Remote Viewing the Aliens (Part 1): Cydonia Mars TRAILER 2 Trailer #5 for Remote Viewing the Aliens (Part 1): Cydonia, Mars Published on Mar 6, 2015 This is the 5th trailer for our upcoming project, Remote Viewing the Aliens (Part 1): Cydonia, Mars. This trailer features Dick Allgire talking about his experience remote viewing for this project.

11 Filipinos in Forbes' 2015 world billionaires list By Camille Diola (philstar.com) | Updated March 3, 2015 - 11:41am The 11 Filipino billionaires have a combined fortune of $51.9 billion or P2.28 trillion—a little less than the Philippine government's P2.6 trillion national budget for 2015. Forbes Magazine reported Sy's 10-digit growth in fortune was due to the expansion of SM Investments Corp. in real estate development, shopping malls and banking the past year. Sy also invested in City of Dreams Manila resort and casino. JG Summit Holdings' John Gokongwei Jr. with $5.8 billion landed #2 in this list, followed by ports king Enrique Razon Jr. with $5.2 billion. World 2015 NW : Billionaire======== : =Source= Affiliated Brands====================== ##73 14.8 bn : Henry Sy and family : diversified SM Investments Corp. City of Dreams Manila #254 $5.8 bn : John Gokongwei Jr. : diversified JG Summit Holdings, Cebu Pacific, Universal Robina #291 $5.2 bn : Enrique Razon Jr.---- : ports International Container Terminal Services, Solaire Resort #330 $4.8 bn : Andrew Tan ----------- : diversified Megaworld, McDonald's, Emperador Distillers, Resorts World Manila #369 $4.4 bn : Lucio Tan and family - : diversified Asia Brewery, Fortune Tobacco, Philippine Airlines, Philippine National Bank #369 $4.4 bn : George Ty and family : banking GT Capital, Metrobank #405 $4.1 bn : David Consunji : construction DMCI Holdings #690 $2.7 bn : Tony Tan Caktiong : fast food Jollibee Foods, Greenwich Pizza, Chowking #810 $2.3 bn : Lucio and Susan Tan : retailing Puregold Price Club 1054 $1.8 bn : Robert Coyiuto Jr. : power Prudential Guarantee & Assurance, PGA Cars, National Grid Corp. 1190 $1.6 bn : Manuel Villar : real estate Starmalls, Vista Land & Landscapes ============= Stocks of Gokongwei's holding company shot up significantly the past year despite hiccups in Cebu Pacific airline's operations with a $1.2 million fine. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Construction czar David Consunji, 93. also made the list due to DMCI Holdings' jump in stocks. Consunji's son, Isidro, has invested in power and developed the 150-hectare Acacia Estates in Taguig. Lucio and Susan Co, founders of Puregold and Cosco Capital, re-entered the list this year with a 2015 net worth of $2.3 billion. Their Puregold supermarkets now have 200 branches nationwide. == > http://www.philstar.com/business/2015/03/03/1429620/11-filipinos-forbes-2015-world-billionaires-list

The, er, Boom in Condos continues... Megaworld to build 3 more high-end condos in Mkti by Richmond S. Mercurio | The Philippine Star | Friday | Updated March 13, 2015 | 12:00am MANILA, Philippines - Megaworld Corp. will launch three more residential projects in the Makati central business district (CBD) until next year. --- SNIPPED --- “As Makati continues to establish itself as the top location for real estate investment, Megaworld is poised to aggressively expand its residential condominium portfolio in this premiere city,” he said. . . . Eugene Em Lozano, Megaworld vice president for sales and marketing for Makati CBD, said the new residential towers will be part of the company’s efforts to increase its portfolio of property developments in the country’s premier financial hub to more than 30 towers by 2016. Read more: http://www.philstar.com/business/2015/03/13/1432911/megaworld-build-3-more-high-end-condos-mkti#ixzz3URRwNuv1

COMMENTS re: RENTALS, SMDC, Resales... Lerato vs Jazz: Originally Posted by p--c-- I have yet to find that out 2016 pa kasi turnover. Do you guys think rental yield will be bigger in Lerato? I am really thinking how this will turn out as I have soo many things in mind (financial decisions, getting married, other investments etc) == unquote == With regards the rental yields, it depends on the rental rates in Makati come 2016. As Lerato also have some competitors in the same area such as SMDC's Jazz and Air residences which has 60 and 76 units per floor and Shang's The Rise Residences. They also offer units with the same size as Lerato's. Studio units are also 23 and 25sqm... - z---88 You can also register your unit with Ayala Property Management. They can help find tenants for you. Then aside from APMC, get your broker as well to market your unit It also depends din sa look of the unit, sometimes expats are picky (mostly expats would be your target tenants) they mostly like modern furniture. Not necessarily you need to spend a lot or hire an interior designer, but the unit should look nice since there's a lot of unit competition out there in Makati. - j---88 Q: I see. How much would it cost tho if I have Ayala or some brokers search tenants for me? A: Usually about 1 month's worth of rent. Q: Wow that's pretty big. I am guessing this should be contract of at least a year right? A: Correct > http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1002701&page=24 Re: Jazz, Air... SMDC projects AIr : "130K per sqm, entry level. the prices have really gone up. Gone are the days..." 1/ To all prospective buyers of any SMDC projects: Save yourselves from the hassle of dealing with their very high fees, very lame after-sales customer service and very inconsiderate billing department. I, for one, am a client/victim of SMDC projects and I am now regretting buying one from them. Also, don't believe their scheduled turnovers because, as far as I know, all of their projects so far are delayed compared to their original target delivery date.... 2/ True. I got a unit at jazz residences and all I can say is they suck big time. I would never consider anything again from them unless the location is really good, which given their current track record would be never. > http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1456032&page=15 (one of many possible co's to assist - no recommendation. I don't know them): Any unit owners here who is in need of a leasing property manager? We currently manage 15 units in Jazz Residences are still looking for owners who need help in leasing their unit. We take care of everything from 1) Market Analysis, 2) Viewing, 3) Negotiation and Contract Signing, 4) Move-In and Move-Out. If interested, please PM us you contact details. Thanks! > fortbgc Real Estate Brokerage : http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1343265&page=184 JAZZ: Q: How much is the monthly rent for a 2br?(xx sm) A: 30-35k for a fully furnished unit. > http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1343265&page=183 KROMA: Does an Asking price mean anything ? I've been offered unit resales in Kroma for 148,000 a meter. Does anyone think this is worth paying now that completion is is due in Q4 of 2017? It's still 2.5 years away but it's probably worth some premium compared to the guys who signed up in 2012. > http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1471414&page=11

Signa Designer Residences, Makati 29 storey, 2 tower development on 2,570 sq.m. lot 702 residential units 1BR, 2BR, and 3BR flat units 402 parking slots (Prices: oct 2012, when Index was Php 117.95k psm) Tower 1: based on 5th and 6th floor 1 br- 32.85- 45.91 sqm, Php 3.8M to 5.1M : 115.7k-111.1k 2 br- 56.80- 67.36 sqm, Php 6.3M to 7.5M : 110.9k-111.3k 3 br- 90.22- 93.88 sqm, Php 10.1M to 10.5M Tower 2: based on 5th and 6th floor Studio- 37.20- 40.86 sqm, Php 4.3M to 4.8M : Exec 1br- 39.60- 47.06 sqm, Php 4.6M to 5.5M : 1 br suite- 50.40- 59.56 sqm, Php 6M to 7M : 119.0k-117.5 2 br suite- 72.10- 75.85 sqm, Php 8.5M to 9M : === > http://www.robinsonscondominium.com/designer.html > SSC : http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=624775

(This may be a bit too strange for some people, but AB is highly detailed and consistent): An interesting long interview with Andy Basiago Highway Diary w/ Eric Hollerbach Ep 108 - Andrew D. Basiago We have had a presence on Mars since 1964 Basiago describes three types of Martians: + Humans that got stuck there 11,000 years ago + Indigenous Martians "with pointy ears" (who sometimes eat humans) + ET hybrids, who look like greys

The Property cycle in Singapore has been less than 18 years (like 15-16 years) The Top is in, apparently. This is from today's HK Standard, pg.18 Slipping in Singapore - in the Overseas Property column by Tony Liaw + Urban Redevelopment Authority data shows prices dropped 4% last year, after +1.1% in 2013 + Secondary market flats were down: Luxury flats averaged S$2,650 (HK$14,908) psf: - 6.2% + New condos were down 17% (!) to S$2,450 psf + Rents also fell, being down 3%, after a 0.9% gain in 2013 A construction worker walks by the largely vacant Cape Royale condominium in Sentosa Cove